Zebra crossing success for pupils from secondary school in Harlesden

Pupils, staff and safer school police officers from Newman Catholic College trying out the new crossing on Harlesden Road (Image: Archant)

Students from Newman Catholic College in Harlesden Road, campaigned for 18 months for the crossing on Harlesden Road, outside their school.

Brainchild of headteacher Daniel Coyle, and spearheaded by the school’s youth travel ambassadors and GCSE citizenship pupils, there was support from the safer school’s officers PC Gary Weedon and PC Min Patel, Brent Council and Transport for London.

The project started in January last year in a bid to eliminate any future danger in and around the school.

The group achieved a bronze award as part of the process after completing a Brent travel plan, a package of measures and initiatives that aim to reduce the number of car journeys made.

Susan Grace, assistant headteacher, said: “This project was part of our continuing school improvement for sustainable travel so that our students are active, responsible and safe.”

Mr Coyle said: “We are delighted that our collective endeavours have paid off. I always thought it wrong that there was no zebra crossing outside NCC. When I became headteacher in May 2013 I raised this matter with the pupils and we decided to do something. Our young people are passionate about improving the quality of life in this area and rapidly engaged in the campaign.

He added: “Interestingly our Year 10 students are currently involved in organising a whole school mock general election next week and the example of our success with the safety campaign for the zebra crossing has been raised numerous times as an example of the power and importance of active citizenship.”